The Tragedy of Ravan the Great

Chapter Fourteen: The Revenge of Ravan the Great

When Ravan disembarked in Preshire in the Bonn Empire, all he could think to do first was to find lodging and then hole up in what appeared to be the most popular tavern in the area. There, he would spend the next few days reading pamphlets and educating himself on Bonn culture, recent events, and current politics. The following month was arguably the most uneventful, aggravating, and uninformative month of Ravan's life. He had even hired a few people to obtain information on Captain Fadi, but he didn't hear back from any of them for what felt like an eternity.

Ravan's luck changed while he sat at his usual corner beside a grimy window in his new favorite musty tavern. One of the scouts rushed in while he read over the day's pamphlet and sat across from Ravan at the sticky wooden table. Ravan set the pamphlet down with a sigh.

"I really hope you have some news for me this time," Ravan moaned. He took a swig of his beer, fully expecting yet another round of useless information.

"Yes, sir. Yes, sir," said the nervous scout. "I managed to overhear a conversation between Graf von Mauve and his Lumber Warden about a lumber jack who used to be a private centurion captain from another empire. The graf wants to make him his mercenary captain."

Ravan grew steadily more interested in what this scout had to deliver. "That's fine, that's fine. Now where does he live?"

"The graf?"

"No, you simpleton! The lumber jack! The former centurion!"

"Oh! Oh, I don't know. But I know the lumber yard where he works!"

"Wonderful." Ravan pocketed the pamphlet, stood, and dropped some crescents on the table. "Take me."

~~~

Ravan spent a couple days observing the lumber yard before he finally spotted the dirty, sweaty Captain Fadi (or now just Fadi) working low-class heavy work. Ravan patiently waited for Fadi to finish his day before he followed him to his home; a dilapidating cabin in the Farstead Forest. Indeed, pieces didn't go very far when converted to crescents.

Ravan didn't bother studying Fadi this time around; he already knew what he needed to know about the former captain. Instead he waited patiently until the man was alone. He didn't have to wait long before Fadi exited the cabin prepared for a hunt. Ravan watched as Fadi promised his wife that he would be home before Northern sundown, kissed her farewell, and marched off deeper into the Farstead Forest.

Ravan followed Fadi quietly into the florally-fragrant forest. There, the bright hues of the lavender and hot pinks trees which spotted the many green ones burned his one remaining eye. As impatient as he was to finally see this mission through to the end, he forced himself to wait to make his move until he felt certain the time was right. He kept his distance and rolled his feet with every step to remain quiet. Once Ravan felt they were far enough away from the cabin, he burned away Fadi's bow and arrows so that they fell from his hands in ashes. Terror showed on Fadi's face as the smoke from the burnt remains of his only means of defense filled his nostrils. He slowly stood from his crouch and glanced around for his old enemy.

"Didn't think I'd ever find you again, did you?" Ravan taunted as he emerged from behind one of the hot pink trees.

Fadi turned to face Ravan and said nothing as the cloaked psychopath stepped in front of him. Ravan tossed a sword at his feet.

"Pick it up," Ravan demanded.

"No," Fadi challenged.

Ravan drew his sword and shrugged. "Then I'll just cut you down here and now. Won't be as fun but at least I'll have finally satisfied my objective."